Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA -- More than 300 men and women competed in the three day Military Benefit Association’s Centennial Battle Challenge 2017 event( STET) Sept. 27–29 at the Seven Day Store Parking lot aboard base.
The purpose of this highly innovative competition is to provide unique fitness exercises centered on ability-based military action comprised of marksmanship skills and job-related tasks that are highly relevant to the U. S. armed forces.
Participants performed a series of nine tasks, racing against the clock and their opponents for bragging rights in an adrenaline fueled, best of the best battlefield simulation competition which included climbing a net, scaling a wall, crawling through obstacles, shooting targets and dragging a 200 pound medical dummy to victory.
The competition was open to any individual on base willing to take on the challenge, with service members lacing up their “boots and utes”, while civilian competitors were required to dress in a similar manner. Other gear, including helmets, laser rifle and other gear were provided to all competitors.
The competition was broken up into various categories such as Overall Men’s, Women’s, Junior and Senior Marines categories, as well as Department of Defense categories.
Prizes included cash, gift cards, Yeti products, Marine Corps Community Services coupons and trophies and certificates for first, second and third place winners in all categories.
Sgt. Maj. Lance Harrell, Officer Candidates School (OCS) said that competing in this event is all about having bragging rights and that it is also about “ductus exemplo” the OCS motto.
“While physical fitness is always a part of a Marine’s day, here at OCS we pride ourselves in the grueling, daily regimen of PT we lead the candidates through, he said. It was at a meeting that the OCS found out about the competition and people began joining in. “The rest of the staff at OCS couldn’t let the old men have all the bragging rights and the onslaught began.”
The OCS team the Gray Beards ended up with the highest participant award, Marine Corps Community Services ball donation and the bragging rights to having the fastest male award, Sgt. Jonathan Verity.